That Common Authority Conundrum

By now, if you’ve been investigating the idea of internet marketing or blogging for any time at all, you’ve come across the idea of authority (“expert”) marketing and the importance it can play for your blog and brand.

Well that’s all well, fine, and good… but most of the information out there today leaves it sounding as though these experts just pulled their expertise out of a magic hat!

And magic is AWESOME partially because it’s a bunch of tomfoolery… but tomfoolery just doesn’t have a place in your business.

Especially not when you’re in the early days of stoking that fire and trying as hard as you can to get your business off the ground!

So I really think you should pick up the new ebook by Dennis Becker called Unlocking The Expert In You, which does a GREAT job of demystifying the whole process.

Outside of that though, I want to go over some important things I’ve picked up over time in my own business…

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5 Important Authority Tips

1. Authority is THE MOST PRECIOUS asset you can build.

It’s the ONLY thing more precious than your email list because it is the only thing that will let you quickly rebuild your email list and your reputation with it.

2. Authority “seems” slow but is the only thing that lasts.

Think of it like this. Authority marketing is like going to a far away town, with your plumbing skills, and setting out to become the best plumber in town. Simply put, that’s going to take some time, playing your cards right, and consistency… so it SEEMS slow. However, next week you’re on a gig and you break your leg and you’re laid up for four months as you heal.

Once you return to the market, how long do you think it takes you to fill your calendar with appointments again? Not very long! Because authority LASTS and LASTS in people’s minds.

3. Authority not only gets easier – but also evolves – with time.

In the beginning, you need to really focus on some of the “deal breakers” that Dennis covers in his book. But over time, you’ll find that you gain even more flexibility and the whole thing evolves with you.

That’s where I’m at these days, with making some shifts to my business, that I don’t have to worry about creating any authority disruption because my authority is firmly in place and I just have to maintain it. (And obviously continue to build it if I want more!)

4. You don’t have to be a full-on-expert to be of value to someone who knows less than you.

Report on what you’ve learned, what you’ve tried, and what has worked or not, and you become incredibly helpful to those who want to do and learn the same things. It’s okay not to be an expert when you’re getting started as long as you don’t profess to know more than you do.

Don’t try to give wide-scale blogging advice when you don’t have the experience. Don’t try to teach others how to get rich online when you haven’t done it yourself. Instead teach what has worked, what you’ve learned, and what they can build off from your own experiences.

When building your authority – there is one thing that is the PRIME downfall of so many up-and-coming-success-stories – that I need to mention it.

Don’t lose your moral compass. Don’t play dirty and don’t try to cheat – because you WILL get caught and it will haunt you. You’ll find it incredibly hard to regain traction after having fallen to this very tempting trap.

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Looking across the things you see me work on and participate in and the training and services I create for you… I think you can easily see how authority marketing is the foundation of my business.

If developing your brand authority has been giving you fits – or if you haven’t gotten started yet – or if you’re started but NOT where you want to be – grab this ebook by Dennis.

Feel free to share this post with any of your friends who would love it… or invite them to subscribe at http://just-ask-kim.com/subscribe/ so they can receive not only blog updates but also private subscriber only content!

Helping You Rock Your Business!~ Kim ~

PS: Join Us? Speaking of authority, a great way to learn more is to come hang out with us in the community Facebook group! Join us in the #YCDI Online Training Group! We’re having a ton of fun while sharing lots of cool tips, tricks, resources and discounts. Don’t miss out!

Comments

Thanks once again for such valuable advice! When it comes to being an “authority” one has to walk the walk. We have to only share what we have done ourselves. Honesty is the best policy here. Yes, Authority gets easier as it evolves in time. The more we learn and take action on, the more we can give to others. As we evolve, so does our business.

Most of all, I love #4 whereby we don’t have to be an “expert” in everything. We share what we know and let our readers decide who the “expert” is! Wonderful advice to all. So true, because if we are doing a good job, our readers will tell us so and thank us. And that’s how we can confirm within ourselves a good old slap on our own back!

When I started out with affiliate marketing I joined the wrong things. My moral compass was compromised. I had to change course and find tried and tested products and services. I soon learned that the promises of easy riches were false and refused to promote them. It was only then that I could start to build any authority.

Kim, that is the whole thing. Sharing something that one experiences or uses is much better than pitching products and systems or programs. Living in a state of solutions and sharing that with those who have daily challenges. That is value.

I believe you are a perfect example of giving us vital information that you use. That is sharing with quality and not pushing stuff on us that we do not even need. Getting to know people is the difference in identifying what one needs and desires. Not you making a quick buck.

Hi Kim, I’ve known you online for a long time now, and you’ve done a fantastic job at defining your area of expertise. A few years ago, I was watching a webinar with a successful marketer who used your business as an example of “what a niche is”. She said that you had created your niche as an expert on WordPress Blogs.

Products, launches, promotions can all do good or they can fall flat… but in the long run, your authority is what continues on. You need to develop that authority brand, and then protect and grow it at all times.

Hi Kim. I appreciate this article so much. I know how long and hard you have worked to become an authority. I’m not there yet, but I’m working to become one. And I so agree with you about being aboveboard in your dealings with others online. No stealing, back-biting, telling lies. Not good. Just keep being the tremendous example that you are.

You don’t have to be a full-on-expert to be of value to someone who knows less than you. There is so much wisdom in these words. What little I know or what I have experienced can actually help someone else take that first step toward solving their problem. Thanks :)

Thee are great things that you have given. I like point 2 where you mention that authority seems to be slow but it is the only thing that will last. One can not be an authority in something without practice first. Thanks Kim.

Brand authority is so important. I have been building a base for a very long time, writing articles and blogs, creating online and offline connections. One thing I have learned is that people want to feel that you care about them. Now, when I participate in an event I offer to help the promoter in any way I can. For example, since I am participating in 4 different love summits I have scheduled an internet radio interview with each of the promoters and plan to write articles to support some of the summits and the live seminar taking place this weekend.

Providing value and showing that you care about your customers, clients and colleagues can make a huge difference over time. None of this is quick and easy, but it can be really enjoyable and it will pay off in the long run. You are certainly an excellent role model about how to nurture your community, providing continuous ongoing value and assistance as needed.